SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 309, 6 January 1908, Page 2

SHEARERS' DISPUTE.

m EMPLOYERS TAKING ACTION. Per Press Association. Palmerston N., Saturday Night. A special meeting of the l'almerstoi branch of the Farmers' Union was belt to day to discuss the matter of tin shearers' dispute. It was stated thai the object of the Union was to improve the condition of farmers generally am to help every branch of farming, farn: laborers included. The following oh jections to the claims of the shearers were raised:—(l) The rate cannot bi the same for all districts; (2) if then are machines the price should not hi the same as if hand shears were used; (3) for sheds which have a large night pen in proportion to the number oi shearers there should be a different rate; (4) some give and take was necessary in connection with dagging. Wet shco'p should be subject to the decision of the manager of the shed; (5) limitation of learners is unreasonable, for there are too few shearers already. There was a public meeting of farmers in the. afternoon, when the necessity for taking action to meet the case was pointed out, and it was stated that the Union would not go before the Conciliation Court though they were quite willing to assist to an amicable understanding. The following resolutions were carried:—That the meeting request the Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union to take steps to meet their citation liefore the Conciliation Hoard, and agreed to pay 5s per thousand sheep towards fighting funds; That the meeting endorse the action of the Farmers' Union executive in declining to argue before the Conciliation Board. A comniittec was appointed to act with the Farmers' Union executive.